Complete - 1/48 Academy F-5E Lightning

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
21

I finally have paint on. The bottom had some kind of strange wrinkling on it, I’m not really sure what was going on there but I’ve fixed it the best I could. At least it’s on the bottom where not too many people will be looking at it. I primed with flat black, then sprayed Testor’s silver out of a rattlecan. After that dried I picked out a few panels with a couple shades of silver and aluminum. Since this plane was in the South Pacific at the end of WWII, I’m chipping a bit more paint than I usually do since those birds really took a beating from the elements.

I also got the props done as well. There’s still a little bit of touching up to do here and there.

22

Not too shabby, Silent Bob! Nice to see you’ve made some progress. And me, haven’t even started mine for the GB… looking forward to seeing how you wrap her up!

23

Thanks! I’ve started on decals, but they’re typical Academy ones…gonna need a lot of Micro Sol…

24

Decals are done, and they were terrible. I don’t have many Academy kits in the stash, but I’m going to have to see if the decals are made by them or printed by someone else. If they are Academy decals I’m getting aftermarket. These were some of the worst decals I have used. The Micro Sol just cracked them and comepletely destroyed the upper national insignia. Luckily I had a spare one that was the same size in my stash. One of the decals on the tail shattered in the water, but thankfully it was easy enough to paint the red and white stripes. I’m at the point where I just want this build done.

25

Got the superchargers on and weathered with pastels. I noticed that I missed some seams on the bottom. If I ever build this kit again I’ll have to remember to tackle those better.

26

Apart from the health issues, you’ve done a cracking job so far…great looking pit.

All the best for when you go forward with a kidney transplant and may it bring you many years of good health following the procedure.

Cheers [:)] [Y] [B] [B]

27

Thanks Martin, I really appreciate it. Here’s hoping I can get the transplant done quickly. I really don’t want to end up back on dialysis.

On a more positive note, I’m calling this one done. She’s not perfect, but good enough for me. It might be awhile before I tackle another P-38, they’re pretty tough to build. Any comments/criticisms are welcome. To recap she’s in the markings of the 8th Photo Recon Squadron, based in the Philippines in 1945. Thanks for following along!

28

Nice job on the model. I wish you good luck on the health issues.

29

Looks good from where I’m sitting! P-38s are tough, but man they look so cool!!!

Best of luck with your health! I’m sending good vibes your way.

30

Looks good! Hope the health thing goes ok

31

Thanks guys! I have a potential donor lined up, we just need to wait on the test results to see if they are a match. Then hopefully I can get that taken care of.